How to Use Full-Length MCAT Practice Tests Effectively

Full-length (FL) MCAT practice tests are one of the most powerful tools in your prep—if you use them correctly. They don’t just measure progress; they build test-taking stamina, expose weak areas, and teach you how to manage time and stress across a 7+ hour exam.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to get the most out of your FL exams.

When to Start Taking Full-Lengths

You should begin full-length practice 6-8 weeks before your official exam date. By this time, you should be:

• Done or nearly done with content review
• Consistently practicing with question banks (UWorld, AAMC Section Bank)
• Able to sit for ~3-hour blocks without excessive fatigue

If you’re following our 3-Phase MCAT Plan, full-lengths are part of Phase 3.

How Many Full-Lengths to Take

Most students benefit from 6–8 total FL exams. A typical breakdown might look like:

• 1–3 third-party FLs early (e.g., Blueprint, Kaplan, Altius)
• All AAMC FLs (must-do)
• 1 final FL ~5 days before your actual test

More than 8 can lead to burnout or diminishing returns if not reviewed properly.

Where to Get Full-Length Exams

Top resources:

• AAMC FLs: Gold standard. Use them for final benchmarking.
• Blueprint: High quality, realistic difficulty, strong analytics.
• Altius: Very tough, great for mental endurance.
• Kaplan: Slightly easier, good confidence booster.
• Princeton Review: Less popular, but usable if bundled.

How to Simulate Real Test Conditions

To make FLs effective, simulate the MCAT environment:

• Start at the same time as your test day (typically 8 a.m.)
• Use only the scheduled breaks (10 min, 30 min lunch)
• No phone, no music, no interruptions
• Use scratch paper, water/snacks like you would on test day

Treat these as full “dress rehearsals” so test day feels familiar.

How to Review Full-Length Exams

Reviewing a full-length can take 1–2 days. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Go Section by Section

• Skim your raw score
• Don’t worry about the scaled score too much early on
• Start with the section that felt hardest

2. For Every Missed Question:

• Identify why you got it wrong (content gap, misread, timing, overthinking)
• Revisit that topic if it’s a weak area
• Add to your flashcards or error journal
• Write out the correct reasoning in your own words

3. Look for Patterns

• Are you always missing inference CARS questions?
• Is your timing falling apart in C/P?
• Are you dropping focus in the last section?

Write down takeaways in your study tracker. You can also use the MCAT.tools Journal to capture all your review notes.

Final Tips

• Do NOT skip the review phase—it’s where the learning happens
• Avoid comparing your scores too early; trends matter more than any one test
• Prioritize sleep and recovery just like athletes before a big event
• If burnout hits, skip an FL and focus on light content review or CARS

Full-lengths can feel draining, but they’re the most high-yield thing you can do before your exam. Respect them, review them, and they’ll raise your score.

For more test day prep, check our MCAT Exam Day Guide.